Acupuncture Relieves the Excessive Excitation of Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal Cortex Axis Function and Correlates with the Regulatory Mechanism of GR, CRH, and ACTHR

Abstract

It had been indicated in the previous studies that acupuncture relieved the excessive excitation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex axis (HPAA) function induced by stress stimulation. But the changes in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) induced by acupuncture have not been detected clearly. The objective of the study was to observe the impacts of acupuncture on the protein expressions of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor (ACTHR), and GR under the physiological and stress states. The results showed that under the stress state, acupuncture upregulated the protein expression of GR in the hippocampus, hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and pituitary gland, downregulated the protein expression of GR in the adrenal cortex, and obviously reduced the protein expressions of CRH and ACTHR. Under the physiological state, acupuncture promoted GR protein expression in the hippocampus and CRH protein expression in the hippocampus and PVN. The results explained that acupuncture regulated the stress reaction via promoting the combination of glucocorticoids (GC) with GR, and GR protein expression. The increase of GR protein expression induced feedback inhibition on the overexpression of CRH and ACTHR, likely decreased GC level, and caused the reduction of GR protein expression in the adrenal cortex.

Acupuncture Alleviates Anxiety and 22-kHz Ultrasonic Vocalizations in Rats Subjected to Repeated Alcohol Administration by Modulating the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Signaling Pathway

“…For example, electro-acupuncture decreases the hypothalamic CRH levels to the control levels in an animal model of irritable bowel syndrome [ 39 ]. The stimulation of various acupuncture points (Qimen, Shenshu, Sanyinjiao, and Zhubin) regulates the glucocorticoid receptor levels and CRH and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion through the hyperactivation of the HPA axis in the rat model of unpredictable chronic mild stress [ 40 ]. As shown in the present study, the increased level of CRH observed after repeated ETOH administration was decreased by HT7 stimulation.…”

Complementary Medicine Therapies That May Assist With Weight Loss: A Narrative Review

“…There were 6 additional studies investigating the effects of acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, and electroacupuncture on the hypothalamic pituitary axis. [33][34][35][36][37][38] Each of these studies showed that these therapeutic modalities significantly reduced serum cortisol and ACTH. [33][34][35][36][37][38] Most studies found that acupuncture therapies modulated glucocorticoid receptors, which affected hormone levels.…”

“…[33][34][35][36][37][38] Each of these studies showed that these therapeutic modalities significantly reduced serum cortisol and ACTH. [33][34][35][36][37][38] Most studies found that acupuncture therapies modulated glucocorticoid receptors, which affected hormone levels. [32][33][34][35][36][37][38] One study demonstrated that acupuncture enhanced the expression of glucocorticoid receptors in different parts of the brain and reduced the expression of receptors on the adrenal cortex.…”

Electro-acupuncture regulates glucose metabolism in chronic stress model rats

“…The effect of EA on chronic stress was shown to be closely related to the regulation of the HPA axis by electro-acupuncture. Evidence of similarity has been proposed by studies hypothesising that acupuncture can regulate the function of HPA by promoting CRH secretion in the hypothalamus, thereby regulating ACTH and CORT secretion 24 . These hormones are the main indicators of stress response through HPA 25 .…”